How much do you need to earn to qualify for Washington ESD unemployment benefits?

Thanks! What if most of my earnings were in the last 3 months of the year? Would that affect anything?

It depends on when you file your claim. The base year quarters matter more than when in the calendar year you worked. You might want to use the alternate base year if your recent earnings were higher.

Yes, you need earnings in at least two quarters of your base year. And you need at least $481 in your highest earning quarter. There are actually several requirements you have to meet.

Ugh this is getting confusing. Is there an easy way to check if I qualify without filing a whole claim?

Wait, what is Claimyr? Is it like a third party service or something?

Yeah it helps you get through to ESD agents when the phone lines are jammed. Way better than spending all day redialing.

Interesting, I've never heard of that. Might have to check it out if I can't get through the normal way.

What counts as a job contact? Does applying online count or do you have to call them?

Online applications count. You just need to keep a log of your job search activities. The WorkSourceWA website has good info on what qualifies.

I got laid off when they cut hours and I couldn't afford to keep working so few hours. Think that counts as no fault of my own?

That could be tricky. If you voluntarily quit even due to reduced hours, ESD might consider it a voluntary separation. You'd need to show you had good cause for leaving.

This is super helpful! Where did you find all this info? The ESD website is so confusing.

It's buried in their handbook. I learned it the hard way when my first claim got denied and I had to appeal.

That 1.25 times rule is what got me. Made plenty overall but it was all in one quarter so I didn't qualify initially.

True but if you don't qualify you might have issues later if you try to file again. Better to know beforehand.

Yeah I don't want to mess up my record if I'm not eligible. Trying to figure it out first.

The requirements exist for good reasons - to ensure benefits go to people who have established work history and lost jobs involuntarily. But I agree the system can be frustrating to navigate.

Easy for you to say when you're not the one getting denied for BS reasons!!

I have emails about the schedule changes but nothing official about being laid off. Will that be enough?

It's a start. Try to get something in writing from your employer about the reduction in hours/work available if possible.

That sounds amazing. Is it expensive to use?

They focus on just getting you connected so you can get answers directly from ESD. Worth it to avoid the calling nightmare.

Might have to try that myself. I've been trying to reach them about my adjudication for weeks.

Base year is the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you file. So if you file in January 2025, your base year would be Oct 2023 - Sep 2024.

Ohhhh that makes more sense. So it's not just the last 12 months, it's specific quarters.

When do you have to register? Right away or is there a grace period?

I think it's within the first week but double check that. They'll tell you in your approval letter if you qualify.

Good point. I should probably start looking for jobs now even before I file the claim.

Definitely. And keep records of everything - applications, contacts, interviews, all of it.

Exactly why I ended up using Claimyr! Their website shows exactly how it works too.

yeah might have to check that out because calling ESD directly is hopeless

All my work was in Washington so I think I'm good there. Thanks for thinking of that though!

Perfect, that makes it much simpler. Washington's system is actually pretty good once you get through the initial hurdles.

Thanks everyone for all the help! I feel much more confident about filing now. Going to gather my documentation and give it a shot.

Good luck! Don't hesitate to ask more questions if you run into issues during the process.